272 THE SUGAR BEET. 



the latter, it greatly enjoys a fine day, and comes above 

 the ground when it can have the advantage of the sun, 

 during which time it attacks the leaves. Many are 

 frequently on the same plant at the same time, some 

 above and others beneath the ground. The fig. 68 

 represents a young plant that has been able to resist 

 for some time, and finally the whole end (B) has been 

 eaten, and it is now breathing its last. 



The great problem is to cause the plant to grow be- 

 fore the enemy has made its appearance ; under these 

 conditions it would be sufficiently strong to resist. 

 Utilization of manure has been suggested, but has for 

 direct effect (as before stated) a large yield and but 

 little sugar. Steeping^ of the seed for about twenty- 

 four hours in a solution of lime water will have the 

 advantage of causing the grain to grow rapidly. The 

 best of all is to make use of a heavy roller, and to 

 compress the soil. It is important that when the seeds 

 are to be planted for the second time (the first having 

 been destroyed), not to act sparingly, as the excess will 

 be eaten by the insect, and there will, in the greater 

 number of cases, remain yet sufficient for a good 

 yield. 



^N'ext comes the CurcuUlo or a variety of weevil ; the 

 exact species is not as yet known (but, according to 

 the German classification, it belongs to the sixty- 

 second family (Curculiondse) ; it is a coleoptera insect. 



' See " Sowing of the Seed." 



